Six former lawmakers are now facing trials for the alleged misuse of their pork barrel funds in the controversial bogus NGO’s operated by the alleged pork barrel mastermind Janet Lim Napoles. Former Pampanga Rep. Zenaida Ducut was one of the lawmakers who faced criminal charges.
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales has ordered the prosecution of Zenaida Ducut, Janet Lim Napoles and five former representatives namely Rozzano Rufino “Ruffy” Biazon, a former Customs Commissioner, of Muntinlupa City; Rodolfo Valencia of Oriental Mindoro, Marc Douglas Cagas V of Davao del Sur; Arrel Olaño of Davao del Norte province and Arthur Pingoy Jr. of South Cotabato province.
Aside from the former lawmakers, the office of the Ombudsman also ordered prosecution of the officials of Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Technology Resource Center (TRC), National Business Corp. (Nabcor) and representatives of nongovernment organizations (NGOs).
The alleged respondents mentioned above earlier denied wrongdoing and involvement in the controversial P10-billion pork barrel scam headed by it’s alleged mastermind, Janet Lim-Napoles.
The Office of the Ombudsman issued five separate orders directing the filing of information in the Sandiganbayan against these individuals for violation of Section 3 (e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019), malversation (Article 217, Revised Penal Code) and direct bribery.